“Old School” Hunting Tips

In honor of Father’s Day, we’d like to cover some “old school” tips for “new school” hunters. Obviously, the sport of hunting has changed since your dad started hunting. With the technology available (and advancing), the sport will only continue to change. However, there are some fundamental (“old school,” if you will) hunting tips that younger hunters can use to improve their accuracy, technique, and overall experience.

“Old School” Hunting Tips

Age A Track-You can easily determine how fresh a track is by gently clearing the area next to the track with your fist. Compare the outline and texture (wet, dry, etc.) of both the track and your clearing. You should be able to tell, based off your clearing, how fresh the track is.

Size A Track-Similar to determining the age of a track, keep this hunting tip in mind: a mature buck will leave tracks measuring 5-6 inches from toe tip to the back of the dewclaw. Adult does and young bucks do not typically leave a track more than 4 inches in length. To determine width, lay a .30/06 cartridge crosswise inside the hoof print or dewclaw spread. If the cartridge is the same as the width, keep tracking. It’ll be worth it.

Size A Rack-The next best thing to sizing a track? Sizing a rack! After you find buck rub that shows damage on nearby saplings, brush, or trunks, measure it from the middle of the main run to the outermost tine mark. Double it. The buck’s rack will be (at least) that wide.

Be Sneaky-It can be impossible to hunt silently. However, this can be an advantage because deer are also easier to hear. If you have to move, use a grunt tube or fawn bleat to cover the sound of your steps. If you can beat them, join them, right?

Find The Logger-If you are hunting in the big woods late in the season, find the freshly cut treetops left by the loggers. Look for fresh cuts by driving the back roads or keeping your eyes peeled for their machinery. After finding the fresh cuts, set up for an evening hunt.

Do you have any hunting tips (“old school” or “new school”) that you’d like to share? We’d love to hear them! Reply with a comment below!